What is an SSL Certificate?

With so many of today’s transactions taking place online, security has become paramount. It’s important not only for visitor safety but also for maintaining the reputation of your brand online.

SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer. It is a safety accreditation provided to websites to show their visitors that the site is secure, and that any information provided with remain confidential.

How does it work?

An SSL Certificate provides a link, or pathway, between a web browser and the server on which a site is hosted. The pathway is created by wrapping the details in a layer of encryption so that hackers and other online threats can’t penetrate to steal information. This means that any personal or private details passed through the site will remain safe and encrypted, only for use by the authorised party (the owner of the site). Once the information arrives at the destination server, the digitally bound cryptographic key is provided to the vendor, and only they can access the information.

How do I know if a site is secure?

Traditionally, a domain would be preceded by the HTTP prefix. With the new, top-level SSL certification, an ‘s’ is added to the prefix to read HTTPS. This is the easiest way to identify whether or not a website has a current SSL Certificate.

Why is an SSL Certificate necessary?

SSL certification is particularly vital for eCommerce sites on which credit card details are provided, and personal information and account login details are stored; however, with new developments from Google on the horizon, every website will benefit from the installation of SSL.

Security Benefits

The most obvious reason to obtain an SSL Certificate is the glaring security benefit. Having the highest level of security installed on your site not only benefits your customers it benefits you, too, protecting your site from hackers, phishing and other online perils. It also protects your brand.

Retaining Trust

In July this year, Google will be rolling out an update that could cause a massive shift in online traffic towards sites with a current SSL Certificate. The update will cause all users to be notified that a site is “not secure” if the website doesn’t have the security layer installed.

Google has been transparent about the change and has given website owners plenty of notice so as not to surprisingly sever brand relationships when the changes are made come July.

Don’t be caught out – future-proof your website now. If you don’t currently have an SSL Certificate, chat to your Account Manager or one of our Web Development team on 1300 663 995 about your options today.

SEO Success

If Google says it’s required, it’s more than likely they will demonstrate and enforce it through their website rankings. Google have shown to favour websites with an HTTPS prefix and we have already seen first-hand the positive affect the installation can have on a business’ position in the SERPs. You can give your SEO campaign that extra kick by taking their advice and upholding their ‘best practice’ standards. Chat to an SEO Specialist today on 1300 663 995 to see which certificate is right for you!